ECAC Hockey is a collegiate ice hockey conference in the United States, primarily composed of schools from the northeastern region. It is one of the six conferences that compete at the NCAA Division I level. The conference was established in 1961 and includes both men's and women's hockey programs. The member institutions of ECAC Hockey are known for their strong academic reputations, and the conference emphasizes the balance between athletics and academics. Teams compete for the ECAC Hockey Championship, which can lead to opportunities for advancement in the NCAA tournament.